"-just call me if anything's wrong, okay?" Lily asked her Muggle co-worker, Alwin.

"I will," assured Alwin casually.

"Thanks so much," said Lily with a smile. She ran a hand through her hair, making sure she hadn't forgotten anything she needed to. "The shop is closed now, anyway, except for VIP customers, so nobody's going to come. Just finish up the sweeping and all of that, close up the machines, make sure nobody's in here that shouldn't be, and make sure the clothes are presentable for tomorrow."

"You got it."

"Perfect," said Lily. "I'll see you tomorrow. Call me if something's wrong, yeah?"

"I will."

Lily smiled at him and left the shop. Once she made sure nobody was watching, she tip-toed to a private, dark alley next to the shop and apparated just outside her house.

Lily Evans owned a popular clothing store in London, open to both Muggles and Wizards. She sold mainly Muggle clothing, but there were undercover wizards in the shop who could immediately spot out a wizard from a Muggle. Then they could go to the secret backroom with robes, cloaks, and plenty of wizarding clothes.

Her shop was extremely popular. It was only two months old, but it had attracted lots of customers in the time that it had been there. It wasn't like Hogwarts, the real world. You didn't have teachers guiding you. You didn't have the warmth of your Common Room. Offenders didn't always get punished. You learned stuff the hard way.

Slowly adjusting herself to the dizziness, Lily unlocked her house and went to the kitchen, filling a cup with coffee. Then she opened her newly bought cell phone.

"This is so confusing," she muttered to herself. "All of these millions buttons and keys."

Unfortunately, she had to use a cell phone because she worked with muggle co-workers, and they required cell phones to contact. Not like Lily could owl them messages or send them a Patronus, anyway.

Just then the doorbell rang, and in came a woman with brown hair tied back into a ponytail. She was wearing a light pink sweater and pink pants (wow, she was really decked in pink). Her expression was… enthusiastic.

"Marlene," she laughed. "What a lovely surprise!"

"Hey," Marlene greeted, running forward and wrapping her arms around Lily. "It's been so long!"

"I know. Around a month, right?" Lily frowned, trying to remember. "I don't know… it's been what, two years since we graduated? And we try to meet like, once a month, right?"

"Mostly." Marlene shrugged. "We've been consistent enough, but I remember when you opened your store. We couldn't meet then, but I helped you with the ribbon cutting ceremony thing."

"Yeah, you were clapping like a maniac," muttered Lily, remembering how Marlene had been jumping up and down, squealing and clapping.

Marlene grinned sheepishly. "It was exciting. I liked those fluffy pink jackets you had… they were so snuggly and cozy. Especially in the winter," she added.

"Thank you," laughed Lily. "So what have you been up to? You're interning in the Ministry of Magic, right?"

"Yes, transportation department." She yawned. "It's boring if you're an intern, but I learn some pretty new stuff. I just can't wait to be a…"

"I get it," assured Lily. "You'll get there soon enough. Just keep pushing."

Marlene grinned. "Thanks."

"I talked to Mary last week," Lily threw in. "Brian proposed to her." Marlene didn't look surprised. "Er… did you know that already?"

"Yep. I talked to her just yesterday." Marlene jutted up her chin proudly.

"Gossip girls," muttered Lily. Marlene laughed.

"So Emmeline's doing fine, I hear," Marlene said casually, her ponytail swishing over her shoulders. "I talked to Anita last month. She's getting married!"

"Everyone is," Lily sighed, smiling. "We grow up so fast."

"I remember when we were eleven… when we talked about boys and schoolwork and drank hot chocolate together," Marlene said dreamily.

"I know. When's Anita getting married?"

"End of month," Marlene answered swiftly.

"Fun," mused Lily. There was a comfortable silence before, as expected, Marlene started up the conversation again.

"Have you met any of the Marauders recently?"

Lily stiffened. "No. Why?"

"Just asking." Marlene shrugged and noticed her expression. "Oh come on, you're never going to see them again, you don't need to hate them anymore."

"Hate is a strong word," said Lily slowly. "I didn't hate Remus for sure. He was my friend, honestly, we studied together. And Peter… he was weird. As for Sirius, well, he was just arrogant and childish. Overly childish. I didn't hate him though.'

The corners of Marlene's mouth twitched. "And James?"

Lily scowled, throwing a pillow at Marlene. "Fine. You win. I hate James."

Marlene smirked. "Well, you're not going to meet James in the future, are you?"

Lily shook her head. "And I'm not sad about that, mind you."

Marlene laughed, and the two girls fell into a comfortable silence.

"So what are the Marauders up to nowadays?" Lily wondered.

"James is an Auror-"

"An Auror?" asked Lily, surprised. "The good guys who chase down the bad guys?"

"Yeah," said Marlene, grinning at Lily's explanation.

"James Potter… James Fleamont Potter is risking his life to track down dangerous people?"

"Yes, he is," confirmed Marlene.

"Wow." Lily was honestly surprised. She hadn't thought that James would actually do something… good. And definitely not risk his life for that.

"Yeah, so, he was in training. He got accepted, like, a week or two ago, I think." Marlene scrunched up her face in concentration.

"How do you know all this?"

"Emmeline. Whether she gets it from Remus or Carolyn, she's the gossip queen…"

Lily laughed softly. "And the others?"

"I think Peter's still looking for a job. Right now, Sirius and Remus work for the…" Marlene looked around nervously, "the Order of the Phoenix. I think Sirius's cover job is, like, at some bank or estate or something. Remus, obviously, doesn't have a job - werewolf supremacy and all that rubbish. James works at the Order too, but his cover job is an Auror. Something like that."

"Cool."

"Yep." Marlene frowned. "Do you mind getting me some food, Lily? I'm hungry."

Lily nodded and she poured Marlene a cup of apple juice and gave her a plate of cookies.

"Did you make these?" Marlene asked.

"Yeah, why?"

"Nothing. They're scrumptious."

Lily smiled. "Thank you."

After around an hour of just general chatting, talking, and gossiping, Marlene stood up.

"I think I've got to run," she apologized. "I'll see you soon, okay? Stay in touch or… you're dead."

Lily laughed. "Threat received."

Marlene grinned. "Yeah. It had better be."

Lily shook her head, smiling. "I'll see you, Marlene."

"Yeah. Bye!" Lily saw Marlene to the door and watched as Marlene apparated into thin air.

Lily made her way to the squishy, comfortable sofa decked in pillows, closing her eyes and reclining back. Today had been a rough day at work, and she wanted nothing more than to relax, to sleep, and to just take the day easy.

As she started to feel herself doze off, her phone buzzed. Grumbling, Lily fumbled around the table for the phone, and managed to pick up her phone. She saw that it was from Alwin.

Confused, she tapped the screen a few times until she hit the right button and accepted the call.

"Yeah?" she asked groggily in between a yawn, blinking at the bright light.

"You need to get to your shop. Now."

A/N: Here you go! I know it was short, and I'm sorry about that! The chapters will start growing longer.

AU Time frame: James and Lily did not get together in seventh year. Why not is up to you.

Please leave your thoughts in the reviews! This is definitely wayyy out of my comfort zone, so I'm really open to feedback!

Oh, right, the cliffhanger. Well... we'll have to wait and see.